Lucas Perez the Obvious Option to Start for Arsenal Against Ludogorets

Arsenal are on a roll. The Gunners are unbeaten since the opening day of the Premier League season and have now won six matches in succession. However, tempting as it must be to continue with a winning formula, manager Arsene Wenger must also make use of his squad to ensure his stars do not suffer undue fatigue.

The midweek Champions League tie with Ludogorets Razgrad presents a good opportunity to rotate—and Spanish striker Lucas Perez could be one of those set to benefit.

Lucas has struggled for regular football in the early period of his Arsenal career. Although he started against Southampton shortly after joining the club from Deportivo La Coruna, he’s only subsequently been named in the side for the EFL Cup game against Nottingham Forest.

What’s most surprising is how much he has struggled to get off the substitutes’ bench—he has only managed a further two minutes, in the 4-1 victory over Hull City.

It’s not unusual for Wenger to take his time with a new signing who is still acclimatising to English football. However, with Olivier Giroud close to returning from a toe injury, Lucas will be in a hurry to seize the opportunity to impress. If he’s not careful, Arsenal’s summer signing could soon be consigned to a spot as third-choice centre-forward.

The greatest issue Lucas faces is the surprise success of Alexis Sanchez as Wenger’s No. 9. It’s a situation that’s come up as much by accident as design—with Giroud recovering from Euro 2016 and Lucas still at Deportivo when the season began, Alexis was the only real choice to be the spearhead of Arsenal’s attack.

Nevertheless, he’s flourished in the new role. Arsenal seem a much more effective attacking proposition with the Chilean operating through the middle.

Midfielder Santi Cazorla explained to Cadena Cope (h/t International Business Times): 

Alexis is fundamental for us. He makes the difference wherever he plays. No matter the position. Due to different circumstances he is playing as the number nine because Giroud arrived later from the Euro and Lucas was signed in the last days of the transfer window.

Wenger is keeping him up front and I think that as soon as he continues this form he will continue playing there. Then I do not know whether he will play as a striker during the whole season because we also have two other very good strikers in Giroud and Lucas. …

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